Falguni Banerjee ; TNN; Mar 14, 2011,
NAGPUR: Residents of Vignaharta Housing Society in Dharampeth are an aggrieved lot. Margin and FSI norm violations by developers have led to infighting and uncertainty. Situated opposite Dharampeth School, the building has several shortcomings, which have been clearly overlooked by both the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).
Aggrieved Chandrakant Thakkar had written to NIT highlighting the violations in the building but there's been no response from the authorities. In a letter dated December 29, 1999, Thakkar questioned why the NIT allowed the developers to construct a shop, now occupied by a garage, adjacent to an existing apartment. He also questioned NIT's nod to construct two buildings on one plot with just three-metre space between them.
The plot which comprised only a few apartments on the ground floor in 1964 was later developed into an apartment in 1987. The annexure to the building was developed in 1989.
Surprisingly, the sanctioned map of the building, acquired by Thakkar from NMC under the RTI Act, shows a single building linked by a small joint but the ground reality is different.
"If there is a gap, it should be much wider than this. The gap is the main cause for the tussle between residents. Those residing on higher floors do not think twice before throwing waste. Ground floor residents are deprived of ventilation, light and are unable to use their backdoor entry," complained a resident.
The constant noise and pollution from the garage is giving residents sleepless nights. Thakkar questioned why the NIT or NMC never bothered to check why the developers did not seek the mandatory occupancy and completion certificates. He wants to know if development subscribes to rules of the Urban Land Ceilings Act. The developer is yet to hand over the property to the flat owners, he said. The NMC and NIT have never bothered to investigate into these aspects, they pointed out.
They also complained against Dr Vikas Kanikdale, who owns a flat on the ground floor and runs a clinic. "On one side, the doctor has extended his room by placing a tin shade and blocked the free margin space. On the other side, the garage has blocked our front space. The map shows free space on both sides, which proves that these are unauthorized extensions. The huge iron pillar erected for a hoarding before the building is another eyesore," said Thakkar.
Another major problem is the nullah in front of the building. "All the waste from the building is thrown into the nullah, which leads to stink and mosquitoes. The nullah should be covered. Due to encroachment and the absence of clear demarcation of parking space, residents are forever fighting among themselves when it is actually the fault of the developers," said another aggrieved resident.
Dr Kanikdale said, "I was a tenant for 20 years before I bought this flat. Since it is a ground floor apartment, the adjoining space spanning six feet is part of my property just like those staying upstairs have balconies. Most ground floor flat owners use this open space to park their vehicles. I have only put up a tin shade for my clinic to create more space for patients. If I get a notice from NMC, I will follow due procedure. I am not aware of any violations by the builder."
Anirudha Wazalwar from the Wazalwar family, who own the property clarified, "All this is false information. The map provided to you was old. The shops were sanctioned much later. Thakkar has lost a case against me and is a troublemaker. He is deliberately spreading false news and even fights with neighbours. We are reputed professionals and have done nothing wrong. All the norms have been met."
All attempts to contact NIT and NMC officials failed.
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